Dave Frecklington hailed his players' mental strength as he declared ‘they just don’t know when they are beaten'.

The Gainsborough Trinity boss admits at 2-1 down in the 95th minute against Southport on Saturday he was left wondering how the Blues were losing.

However, Craig King charged down a defender before placing the ball into the back of the net for Trinity’s equaliser.

It brought a vital National League point for the Blues and lifted them out of the relegation places at the expense of county rivals Boston United, who dropped into the bottom three after their 2-1 defeat at Curzon Ashton.

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“It once again proves our fitness levels,” said Frecklington. “These boys don’t know when they are beaten. We have really turned a corner since York [where Trinity 1-1 in September] and I think that’s six games away from home unbeaten.

“But again the character we have shown in abundance this year came out and it just shows what we have got in the dressing room.

“The game could have easily have gone against us. They had a new manager come in who has had a fantastic career in the Premier League [former Bolton striker Kevin Davies].

Nathan Stainfield battles for possession against Harrogate in poor conditions (Image: John Rudkin)

“Everyone at Southport was buzzing and he received a standing ovation when he came out, but we snatched a point.”

The Blues got off to a great start when Tom Davie headed home a glorious Matty Taylor set-piece after just two minutes.

But the home side came out with added intent for the second half and a mis-hit back pass by Craig King allowed Jack Sampson to level the scores.

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New boss Davies thought he would be celebrating his managerial debut with a win after Kaiman Anderson scored a second for Southport with just four minutes remaining.

But deep into added time King made up for his earlier mistake with a point-sealing strike for the Blues.

“In the second half they had a right go,” added the Blues boss. “I don’t have to talk about their equaliser, it was a terrible back-pass from Kingy. We were a bit shaken by that and their second was a good goal. I was thinking how have we lost that game?

“But, in the 95 minute, Kingy made up for is back-pass with a goal, that’s what good players do at this level, they redeem themselves. What a great way to round off a weird game.

“What a fantastic period it’s been for us. Three wins on the spin and a great point at Southport. We are in the first round proper of the FA Cup and this point lifts us out of the relegation places.

“The phrase ‘team spirit’ gets branded about a lot these days but I think the fans that travel to games are seeing now just how strong that is.”